Winter 2025 Preview: The Rose of Versailles

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Summary

  • The Rose of Versailles, a shōjo classic, tells a story of identity, duty, and love during the French Revolution.
  • At a time when editors doubted the shōjo genre, it became a worldwide hit, inspiring interest in French culture and spawning many adaptations.
  • Directed by Ai Yoshimura, the film features a stellar staff and an impressive score by composers Hiroyuki Sawano and Kohta Yamamoto.
Title The Rose of Versailles
Director Ai Yoshimura
Studio MAPPA
Release Date 01/31/2025 (Japan)

As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the world of anime and manga, I must say that the upcoming adaptation of “The Rose of Versailles” has me absolutely thrilled! Having grown up watching the original 40-episode series, it holds a special place in my heart.

When discussing MAPPA’s forthcoming animated films, many might initially consider “Chainsaw Man The Movie,” arguably the studio’s most buzzed-about project at present. However, it’s essential not to overlook their other upcoming release – “The Rose of Versailles,” an adaptation of a timeless shōjo manga that forged an exceptional cultural link between Japan and France in its day.

Riyoko Ikeda is a well-known manga artist who gained recognition during the 1970s. She’s famous for creating romantic shōjo manga that heavily feature historical settings, often depicting Europe as the backdrop. One of her most celebrated pieces is “The Rose of Versailles,” which uses the tumultuous period of the French Revolution as a basis, weaving a tale about self-discovery, loyalty, and affection amidst significant transformation.

What Is The Rose of Versailles About?

In the grandeur of Versailles, Marie Antoinette, the new queen, finds herself drawn towards another figure – Captain Oscar Francois de Jarjayes, not just the head of the Royal Guards, but in truth, a young woman disguised as a man to uphold her family’s legacy. This revelation stirs within Oscar a sense of pride and resilience.

In the story, “The Rose of Versailles,” Oscar is caught between her loyalty to the French royal family and her concern for the common people, while Marie, initially unaware, starts to realize the vast difference between herself and those she governs. The narrative follows their journey as they navigate the demands placed upon them and the impact they have on shaping the country’s destiny.

The Global Impact of This Manga

Initially, this groundbreaking period drama faced significant skepticism before it became successful in the early 70s. Back then, manga was often looked down upon as an inferior art form. Junji Hotta of Nippon.com once stated that female manga artists were paid only half as much as their male counterparts due to the low regard for shōjo manga. The editorial team had reservations about whether female readers would fully grasp the complexity of a historical drama, fearing they might miss its subtleties.

Ikeda and fellow shōjo writers of her time would prove such misconceptions woefully wrong…

In contrast to common misconceptions, Ikeda and her contemporary shōjo authors demonstrated this quite effectively, and the popularity of “The Rose of Versailles” transcended Japan’s borders. This manga turned into a global sensation, prompting a 40-episode anime adaptation in 1979, a film version that same year, and numerous stage adaptations. The manga’s impact sparked an increase in tourism and fascination with French culture, which the French government recognized. In 2009, they bestowed upon Ikeda the Legion of Honor.

The Staff Behind the New Adaptation

In this fresh rendition, the skilled director Ai Yoshimura takes the helm. She has previously directed projects such as “Ao Haru Ride”, “Dance with Devils”, “Cheer Boys” and “Kabukichou Sherlock”. Additionally, she’s directed episodes of “Black Butler”, “Gintama”, “Daily Lives of High School Boys” and “Gatchaman Crowds”, an impressive list that positions her perfectly for this narrative and its intended audience.

I’m thrilled to announce that anime screenwriting legend Tomoko Konparu is joining our team! With a career spanning decades, she’s crafted stories for timeless classics like “Urusei Yatsura” and “Touch.” She also penned the heartwarming series “Nana,” “Kimi ni Todoke,” and collaborated with Yoshimura on “Ao Haru Ride” and “Dance with Devils.” This year, she brought laughter with the Boys Love comedy “Cherry Magic,” and she’ll be writing its film sequel in 2025! I can’t wait to see what she brings to our projects!

Mariko Oka, a seasoned animator, is responsible for designing the characters in the film. Her role as character designer for “Hetalia” may resonate with a specific group of fans, but her work spans across various projects, ranging from “Attack on Titan” to “Dororo”, and “Yuri on Ice”. She also served as the animation director for Mari Okada’s 2023 Netflix Original, “Maboroshi”.

The Sound of Revolution

Despite its visually stunning appearance, it’s the soundtrack that really takes flight in this movie. The main theme, “Versailles”, sung by J-Pop artist Ayaka, is a key element in the latest promotional material. Notably, Hiroyuki Sawano, famous for composing music from shows like “Attack on Titan,” “Blue Exorcist,” and the upcoming “Fate/strange Fake,” is behind the film’s music production. His associate and protege, Kohta Yamamoto, handles the composition duties for the film.

Between adapting popular modern manga like Chainsaw Man and Jujutsu Kaisen, MAPPA appears to be jumping on the bandwagon of contemporary remakes. This season alone, MAPPA has brought us director Kounosuke Uda’s reimagining of Ranma 1/2, and The Rose of Versailles promises to be equally dedicated in recreating that iconic and nostalgic art style. Cross your fingers for a global release to follow shortly after its debut.

The Rose of Versailles opens in theaters in Japan on January 31, 2025.

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2024-12-24 19:04